Teachers, parents debate how much to test students

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana education officials are trying to find a balance between preparing students for a new statewide test and overloading them with assessments.

State Board of Education members on Wednesday canceled a transitional assessment scheduled for May because of worries that too many tests could be overwhelming and unnecessary.

Students already will be taking at least two tests next spring because of new education standards that will replace the national guidelines in the Common Core. Only ISTEP, which currently is in place, will be used to gauge progress and evaluate teachers. The other is a pilot test for the new standards.

School administrators and parents now are weighing in on whether to cut down on testing or move to shorter but more frequent assessments.